Supernova

Summary:
As Edward and Bella move on from the events in New Moon, Edward struggles to keep his control over Bella's safety. Bella is thrilled that her life is returning to normal, except for the absence of her former best friend, Jacob. Once Bella made the decison to become a vampire like Edward, there was no going back. Even if that meant losing her family and her friends. How will the werewolves react when they find out that the Cullen's plan on breaking the treaty willingly? Will Bella be able to let go of the past and let go of Jacob? Will Edward convince Bella to marry him before she is turned into the enternally damned?
ECLIPSE from EDWARDS POV.

Notes:
Eclipse from Edward's POV.

3. Confessions

“You’ve been very quiet. Did the plane make you sick?” I asked Bella on the ride home.

The trip to Renee's had gone without a hitch, although we weren't coming home under the exact circumstances I wanted. Victoria was still alive. She manged to slip past my family and the La Push wolves. I couldn't keep Bella in Florida any longer, with out suspicion on everyone's mind. So we returned.

“No, I'm okay.” She said.

“Are you sad to leave?”

I knew she would be. She enjoyed her mothers company, more so than anyone else I had seen her interact with.

“More relieved than sad, I think.”

Her answer shocked me. Why would she be relieved? She was leaving her mother for maybe the last time in her human life. I turned to face her, my eyebrow raised in question.

“Renée is so much more...perceptive than Charlie in some ways. It was making me jumpy.”

I laughed. Bella was dead right.

"Your mother has a very interesting mind. Almost childlike, but very insightful. She sees things differently than other people.”

Her mind was a refreshing break from Charlie's malicious thoughts and constant references to Jacob Black and family. It did get tiring after a while, though, she seemed to notice ever look that passed between Bella and I and read too much into it. She almost immediately picked up on my protective side. She noticed how Bella and I were never to far away from each other. I should have been able to relax, seeing as the only real danger to Bella was thousands of miles away, but it was habit. The best habit I ever acquired. It would keep her safe.

I looked back to Bella and noticed she was asleep. I smiled to myself. She mumbled something about humidity and I held back a laugh. We arrived at her father's home minutes later. She didn't stir, so I brushed her cheek softly. She blinked and focused her eyes. I kissed her forehead softly.

“We’re home, Sleeping Beauty. Time to awake.”

Bella was thoughtfully quiet for a moment. Sighing when she noticed her father peeking out from the living room curtain.

Charlie was anxious to see that his daughter was returning in one piece and he was excited to tell her that Jacob had called. A lot. I couldn't control the stiffness of my facial features as I quickly got out and open Bella's door.

“How bad?” She asked stepping out.

Charlie’s not going to be difficult, he missed you.” I promised her.

He wouldn't be. The time without Bella did a lot for his anger towards the fact the he was realizing that he no longer had control over Bella's actions. She was, after all, a legal adult not. Free to do what she pleased.

I grabbed Bella's small bag and carried it to the house. It was the gentlemanly thing to do.

“Welcome home, kid! How was Jacksonville?” Charlie shouted from the doorway.

“Moist. And buggy.” Bella answered.

“So Renée didn’t sell you on the University of Florida?” Charlie's tone was almost sad. He figured that if Renee did convince Bella to go to Florida, he would have to worry that we were off half away around the country, alone.

“She tried. But I’d rather drink water than inhale it.” Bella told him.

Charlie looked at me unwillingly. “Did you have a nice time?” He asked trying to show Bella that he could be accommodating.

“Yes, Renée was very hospitable.” I answered truthfully. She was a very nice woman. I could see where Bella got a few of her traits from.

“That’s...um, good. Glad you had fun.” Charlie said, full well knowing that he couldn't care less if I enjoyed my time in Florida. His emotions spilled over, something that was very rare for Charlie, and he pulled Bella in for a hug.

“Would you call Jacob first? He’s been bugging me every five minutes since six o’clock this morning. I promised I’d have you call him before you even unpacked.” He informed her.

My body went rigid. The tightening in my chest was almost unbearable again. The room started to spin.

“Jacob wants to talk to me?” She asked.

“Pretty bad, I’d say. He wouldn’t tell me what it was about — just said it was important.”

The phone rang. There was no doubt in my mind that it was Jacob. My heart squeezed tighter in silent protest.

“That’s him again, I’d bet my next paycheck,” Charlie mumbled.

“I got it.” Bella said rushing to the kitchen.

I followed her. She answered before the phone had a chance to finish the ring it was on.

“Hello?”

Bella swallowed noisily at whatever Jacob has said.

“Yes.” She answered his question.

It was quiet for a moment as Jacob spoke. Whatever he said got Bella on edge.

“Because I’ve been in the house for exactly four seconds and your call interrupted Charlie telling me that you’d called.” She snapped.

I laughed silently.

“Sure. Now, why are you harassing Charlie?” She said after a moment.

Jacob spoke again.

“Yeah, I figured out that part all by myself. Go ahead.”

They were both quiet. The stress was making my head pound.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?” Bella said confused.

I wondered what he asked.

They fell silent again.

“So what did you want to talk about, Jake?” She asked after a minute.

Bella's face light up at whatever he was saying to her. I hid my scowl.

“Yeah, I know. I’m so glad you called me, Jake. I...” Bella started.

The crying feeling hit me again, making me almost dizzy with sadness.

“What?” She asked confused and hurt.

“But Jake —” She started then stared at the phone in disbelief.

“That was short.” She muttered to herself.

“Is everything alright?” I asked keeping my voice low. If he had made her upset, even for one second I was going to break his face. I keep my face expressionless, though, she didn't need my worries to plague her anymore than normal.

“I don’t know. I wonder what that was about.” She said still confused.

“Your guess is probably better than mine.” I said trying to smile for her. She knew all there was to know about Jacob, this fact me the fight against my tearless sobs harder.

“Mmm.” She agreed.

Bella moved to the refrigerator to take out some hamburger for dinner. She suddenly froze in the middle of the kitchen, the hamburger sliding from her fingers. I caught it and tossed it on the counter. I grabbed her fiercely.

She remained quiet. I started to panic. Was it something Jacob Black said? Or was something going on inside Bella's body that had her concerned. The terror raced through me like cold acid. I shook her softly.

“Bella?” I couldn't keep the panic out of my voice.

“I think...I think he was checking. Checking to make sure. That I’m human, I mean.” Her voice was low and troubled.

My body tightened up along with my chest. I hissed in fury. How dare Jacob. He was worried about the stupid treaty. Who honestly cared anymore? If Bella did want to become a vampire, it wasn't something they could prevent or stop.

“We’ll have to leave. Before. So that it doesn’t break the treaty. We won’t ever be able to come back.”

Her low whisper was saturated with sadness and regret. I held her closer.

“I know.” I said trying to comfort her.

“Ahem.” Charlie cleared his throat. I wanted to kick myself for not paying attention.

Bella jumped, clearly startled. I let her go and leaned against the counter. I wished Charlie would just leave, I couldn't stand trying to hold a calm pretense, when all I wanted to do was beat Jacob into a pulp and comfort my Bella. She would be giving up so much to be with me forever, what was I giving up? I was more than selfish. There wasn't a word for what I was. It was just plain evil for me to expect Bella to give up her home, family, friends, and life just to spend the rest of our days together. I was a monster.

“If you don’t want to make dinner, I can call for a pizza.” Charlie said trying to remind Bella that he was hungry and had been waiting for something good to eat since the day she left and that he wasn't going to stand for any public displays of affection on our part.

“No, that's okay. I'm already started.” Bella said.

“Okay.” Charlie said settling himself against the door frame. He was going to keep a close eye on the both of us.

Bella sighed, but started to cook. I watched her with enthusiasm, but it was also clouded with the dread and worry that I couldn't seem to push from my mind.

We were almost at school when I heard the voices.

Holy! Check out that Indian. He is HUGE.

What is he doing here? He looks like a gang member.

Isn't that Bella's friend, from La Push?

Jacob! I almost snarled out loud.

My insides turned frozen. I wanted to punch something...or someone. Instead I just gripped the steering wheel as hard as I could, without breaking it.

“If I asked you to do something, would you trust me?” I asked Bella, knowing once she saw Jacob, my request would be denied..

Her pulse quickened as she took in my sudden mood shift.

“That depends.” She said cautiously.

I pulled into the parking lot.

Hey Leech! Get out here. We need to talk! Jacob mentally yelled to me.

“I was afraid you would say that.” I said to both of them.

“What do you want me to do, Edward?” She asked, not fully committed to doing what I asked.

“I want you to stay in the car. I want you to wait here until I come back for you.” I said pulling into my normal parking space and turning the car off.

“But...why?”Bella asked confused.

She noticed Jacob Black then. Standing against his black motorcycle. He was hard to miss, nearly a foot taller than all the other students, skin dark as caramel, and muscles that no normal sixteen year old should ever have.

“Oh.” She replied.

“You jumped to the wrong conclusion last night. He asked about school because he knew that I would be where you were. He was looking for a safe place to talk to me. A place with witnesses.” I told her.

She had filled me in on the entire conversation later that night. It seemed weird at the time, that he would call Charlie's just to check on Bella's mortality status.

“I'm not staying the in the car.” She informed me.

I groaned. Bella loved to make this more difficult then they had to be.

“Of course not. Well, lets get this over with.” I said in defeat. There was no point in arguing,hopefully this would be quick.

Bella and I walked to Jacob, our hands linked. Jacob's face was suddenly hard as he saw us.

How can she touch him like that. It's disgusting. He thought. Those bloodsuckers better never set foot on our land again. I don't care if they are chasing Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Do they need a written transcript of the treaty, or are they just too dumb to remember it. Stay off out lands, and protect human life. How freaking hard is that?

I stopped walking and situated Bella and I a few feet away.

“I already know what you came to say. Message delivered. Consider us warned.” I told him quietly.

I flashed my eyes down to look at Bella. I hoped she didn't hear that.

“Warned? What are you talking about?” She asked confused. Of course she heard me, she rarely missed anything these days.

His body started to tremble, as he fought with himself. He didn't want to phase here, in a crowded school yard. With all these students standing around watching and waiting.

“Emmett and Paul?” Bella breathed, she was scared for them both. “What happened? Were they fighting? Why? Did Paul get hurt?” Her voice raised higher with every question.

It made me almost want to laugh that Bella assumed in a fight that Emmett would win. It was true, but it was funny that she knew it too.

“No one fought. No one got hurt. Don't be anxious.” I said trying to soothe her worries.

“You didn’t tell her anything at all, did you? Is that why you took her away? So she wouldn’t know that —?” Jacob asked trying to get Bella on his side. He knew just as well as I did, that she did not want to be left out.

“Leave now!” I ordered. I had no more strength to keep up a sociable facade.

Oh. I see. You don't want her to know. Well too damn bad. “Why haven't you told her?” He asked.

The question was rhetorical, he just wanted Bella to fully understand that I intentionally lied to her and kept her from knowing something that was very important.

It was quiet for a minute, then two. I saw our classmates standing around us in a large loose circle. They were waiting for the fists to fly. That wasn't going to happen. I would never endanger Bella that way.

Bella started to hyperventilate. She must have figured it out. I cursed Jacob to the deepest pits of hell as she started to tremble.

“She came back for me.” Bella said her voice strained.

I held her closer, keeping sure I was still in front in case Jacob decided to attack. I stroked her face, the way Alice did with me.

“It's fine. It's fine. I'll never let her get close to you. It's fine.” I cooed as soothingly as I could. I was still to angry to devote every ounce of my attention to her.

I glared at Jacob Black, who was smiling smugly.

“Does that answer your question, mongrel?” I growled.

“You don't think Bella has a right to know? It's her life.” He argued.

Tyler crept forward trying to make out what we were saying. I lowered my voice a little bit.

“Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger?” I spat.

“Better frightened than lied to.” Jacob fired back.

I wanted to smash his face into the ground. Curb stomp, I think was the word for it, but Bella started to cry and all my focus went to her. I hated to see her tears as much as they amazed me. It also meant she was hurting badly. I wiped them away with my finger tips.

“Do you really think hurting her is better than protecting her?” I asked Jacob.

“She’s tougher than you think, and she’s been through worse.” Jacob said.

His mind was abruptly filled with images of Bella laying on the cold hard ground, curled into a ball. Her face was stained with tears and dirt. I realized this was the day I walked away. The images didn't stop. Bella looking almost catatonic. The way she would hold her self tightly when ever my name was mentioned. I cringed away from the images, but I couldn't stop them. I tried to block Jacob out, but the memories were to strong. The seemed to hurt me physically, every inch of my body was screaming in protest.

“That's funny.” Jacob said. I could see the pain on my face in his mind. He was feeding off of it.

Enjoying every second of sorrow he brought me. I winced, but used all my strength to compose my face. Bella didn't need to see this. Jacob may only be capable of hurting others, but I would not allow Bella to feel a second of the remorse and shame I felt.

“What are you doing to him?” She demanded, her voice was scared.

“It's nothing Bella. Jacob just has a good memory, that's all.” I told her truthfully.

Jacob grinned and showed me Bella laying in the same curled up position, but on the beach. I winced. She looked to tortured. So hurt and it was all my fault.

“Stop it! Whatever you’re doing.” Bella shrieked.

“Sure, if you want. It’s his own fault if he doesn’t like the things I remember, though.” Jacob said with a shrug, but ending his mental terrorism on Bella's request.

She glared at him and he just smiled back, like a naughty child. He was lucky that , indeed, he was a child. That and Bella's love for him was the only thing saving him from a painful and harsh death.

The students around us where murmuring silently and out loud that the principle has gotten wind of our little confrontation and was on his way to break it up.

“The principal’s on his way to discourage loitering on school property, let’s get to English, Bella, so you’re not involved.” I told her, I didn't want her to be in trouble. She had enough to worry about.

“Overprotective, isn’t he? A little trouble makes life fun. Let me guess,you’re not allowed to have fun, are you?” Jacob said to Bella.

I frowned. He was making it very hard for me not to kill him.

“Shut up Jake.” Bella said with little anger.

Jacob laughed at Bella's attempt.

“That sounds like a no . Hey, if you ever feel like having a life again, you could come see me. I’ve still got your motorcycle in my garage.”

I wanted to growl. As if I would ever allow Bella to ride a motorcycle with a wolf, she had a better chance of having a picnic with Victoria and the Volturi.

“You were supposed to sell that. You promised Charlie you would.” Bella said distracted.

“Yeah, right. Like I would do that. It belongs to you, not me. Anyway, I’ll hold on to it until you want it back.” Jacob said with a small smile. I bet she has more fun with me anyway leech.

“Jake...” Bella murmured.

A normal human would have passed out from the physical pain the squeezing in my chest was causing me., but I wasn't normal and far from human. I would just to have to endure the pain in silence.

Bella really misses me as much as I miss her. “I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me.”

I stood motionless waiting for Bella's answer just as much as Jacob was. I forced my face to remain calm as Bella glanced up to judge my reaction.

“I, er, don’t know about that, Jake.” She quietly.

I don't want to live another day without you, Bella. We're best friends. I love you. “I miss you every day, Bella. It’s not the same without you.” Jacob said.

He tried not think about me standing there, holding his Bella. He tried to make himself forget about me completely, but my sweet smell, sickly to him, was a constant reminder of Bella's choice.

“I know and I’m sorry, Jake, I just . . .”

Her words were worse than my smell. It was her acknowledging his pain and disregarding it. I couldn't imagine loving Bella the way I did and having to know she was in love with my enemy. I almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

“I know. Doesn’t matter, right? I guess I’ll survive or something. Who needs friends?” Not when they'd rather be with the monster who savagely ripped their heart out. Something I would never, ever do.

“Then I suggest you remove yourself from school property at once, young man, before I call the police.” Mr. Greene threatened Jacob.

I wanted to laugh. Not only would it be funny when Charlie showed up, like Jacob was imagining, but if it was the deputy or one of the other officers and they got Jacob mad...I couldn't be sure, but I didn't think a bullet would do much to stop him once he phased.

I tried not to laugh again. As much as I hated him, he was funny sometimes.

“Yes sir.” Jacob said out loud giving Mr. Greene a military salute.

He climbed on his, cheap, bike and kicked it to a start. He spun it around effortlessly and peeled off. He was out of sight before Mr. Greene could get form together his next thought. He ground his teeth roughly against each other trying to hold back the profanities he was yelling to Jacob in his head.

Again I wanted to laugh.

“Mr. Cullen, I expect you to ask your friend to refrain from trespassing again.” He said after he calmed down.

“He’s no friend of mine, Mr. Greene,” I finally got the chance to say. “but I’ll pass along the warning.”

Of course not. How silly of me. Like a perfect Cullen would be hanging out with a trouble maker like that, but I wonder...“I see. If you’re worried about any trouble, I’d be happy to —”

I was insulted. Like I needed Mr. Greene, a pathetic overweight human, watching out for me.

“There’s nothing to worry about, Mr. Greene. There won’t be any trouble.” I said cutting him off.

“I hope that’s correct. Well, then. On to class. You, too, Miss Swan.” He said tired of the whole ordeal.

Whatever is going on I hope Edward is protecting Bella from that menace. Mr. Greene thought as he waited for us to leave.

I nodded to his verbal and nonverbal request.

“Do you feel well enough to go to class?” I whispered to Bella as we hurried to the English building.

“Yes.” She said, but I wasn't convinced.

We were late to class, something a Cullen had never been before. It didn't matter though, it was just one more reason to hate Jacob Black.

Bella pulled out a sheet of paper from her notebook and scribbled me a message.

It was unnecessary for her to pass it to me, I could see it perfectly even horribly lit room. She shoved it in my direction anyway. I sighed as I read her words. I really really really hated Jacob Black.

Alice saw that Victoria was coming back. I took you out of town merely as a precaution — there was never a chance that she would have gotten anywhere close to you. Emmett and Jasper very nearly had her, but Victoria seems to have some instinct for evasion. She escaped right down the Quileute boundary line as if she were reading it from a map. It didn’t help that Alice’s abilities were nullified by the Quileutes’ involvement. To be fair, the Quileutes might have had her, too, if we hadn’t gotten in the way. The big gray one thought Emmett was over the line, and he got defensive. Of course Rosalie reacted to that, and everyone left the chase to protect their companions. Carlisle and Jasper got things calmed down before it got out of hand. But by then, Victoria had slipped away.

That’s everything.

Bella frowned as she read what I wrote. I wanted to ask her what she was objecting to, but now wasn't the time. She shuddered suddenly and I had to stop the urge to pull her into my arms until she felt safe again. After erasing what I wrote she started to write again.

What about Charlie? She could have been after him.

I shook my head. Charlie was never in any danger. It wasn't him who Victoria wanted. It was my Bella that the demon Victoria lusted after. Bella ignored my subtle answer.

You can’t know that she wasn’t thinking that, because you weren’t here. Florida was a bad idea.

Sometimes it was like she could read my mind. It wasn't the first time I had to wonder if that was her secret. If that was why I couldn't see into hers, because she was looking into mine. I knew it wasn't true, though, or when I had left her last fall she would have heard my true self struggling with the lies I was trying to make her believe.

I snagged the paper away from her.

I wasn’t about to send you off alone. With your luck, not even the black box would survive.

I was trying to distract Bella, but as I wrote it I realized it was probably true.

So let’s say my bad luck did crash the plane. What exactly were you going to do about it?

Why is the plane crashing?

I tried not very hard not to smile.

The pilots are passed out drunk.

Well that would be very irresponsible on their part, but it was a non-issue to me. I receive my pilots license almost fifty years ago.

Easy. I’d fly the plane.

Bella mashed her lips together in annoyance.

Both engines have exploded and we’re falling in a death spiral toward the earth.

I thought about it for a moment.

I’d wait till we were close enough to the ground, get a good grip on you, kick out the wall, and jump.Then I’d run you back to the scene of the accident, and we’d stumble around like the two luckiest survivors in history.

Bella turned to stare at me, slightly shocked.

“What?” I asked unable to control the hunger I felt to know what was going on inside her silent mind.

She shook her head in amazement. “Nothing.”

She erased my attempt at a distraction and wrote one more line.

You will tell me next time.

I looked over at her. My fragile Bella. She face still pale with fear, her eyes still wet for the same reason. I wanted to pull her close, hold her, promise her everything would be alright, but it would be a lie and I was tired of lying to her. I sighed, but nodded in agreement.

Thanks.

Mr. Berty stopped reading the Frost poem when his eyes caught Bella's hand movements. I snatched the paper from her erasing the conversation and writing down everything I had heard the teacher say in a lightening fast motion. I didn't need to focus on him to hear every word that came out of his mouth. Thankfully my brain was advanced enough to pay attention to Bella, the teacher, every students thoughts, as well as my families who were in various rooms across the campus. I could probably also tell him the last ten songs that played as cars passed the school grounds, but there was no need to show off.

Bella looked up confused. She watched Mr. Berty walk down the isle. I wondered if she was worried that she would be in trouble, or did she trust that I wouldn't let that happen.

“Is that something you’d like to share there, Mr. Cullen?” I ignored his lateness to class this morning, but I will not tolerate note passing in my class. Hm. I would be the first faculty member to send a Cullen to the principle's office...

I put on my innocent face and looked up at the teacher, giving him the sheet of paper.

“My notes?” I asked laying on confused pretense thickly.

Mr. Berty read it quickly. How can this be! He frowned and walked away.

Leaving Bella to go to her calculus class was worse than having Jane torture me with her “ability”. I knew what they boys in her class where saying and I knew Bella would be listening to their every word. I just hoped that she wouldn't take offense to it and make a scene, although, that would be very un-Bella like.

I didn't bother to pay attention during my class, it wasn't like I was going to miss anything and it was more fun hearing what the students thought of Jacob and I's stand-off. Most seemed to be on my side, but there were others, such as Mike and Austin who thought Jacob would annihilate me if it came to a fight.

I was certain they were wrong.

Jacob was strong, but he was young and very impulsive. I had a century of experience under my belt and the most powerful reason to live. I would not allow myself to die as long as Bella lived. I would not, could not leave her in this dangerous world with out me. As long as Bella lived so would I.